While otters can form bonds with humans, they still retain their natural instincts and behaviors. Otters are cute, furry water animals that hold hands and groom each other to bond. Also, according to mink expert Joseph Carter, their bites can cause severe injury, although this is likely not worse than anything an otter bite can inflict. 1. Its so sad everyone just dont care about an species wellbeing just for the fact you as a human want to be cool having a otter pet. This article is very upfront and honest, however when reading the comments I was overwhelmed with all the ignorance. I think otters are fun to watch, have exciting personalities and overall give out positive vibes. Otters can be dangerous around children, full grown adults as well as pets. To raise an otter away from its natural family group is a tragedy, so if you are still planning on keeping an otter, know that you will have to keep several otters in order to maintain the sanity and mental wellbeing of each one! The name otter derives from the Old English word otor which, alongside other Indo-European cognates, ultimately stems from the root word *wdr, which, you guessed it, gives us the modern word water. Laws change, and this list is not necessarily exhaustive. For enrichment, otters will need walkways, natural shrubbery, nesting boxes and lots of options for safe digging and foraging. However, if you have ever seen one having a snooze while going down river, opening up lunch on their bellies or rollicking in the water with their friends, only the meanest of the mean wouldn't find them enchanting. Quite possibly. 11:06. ), Are jumping spiders friendly or harmful to us? They do not fall under the same laws because they are not technically marine mammals. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. 2. They are easier to care for, cheaper to buy, require zero, or at least fewer, licenses and permits to keep as pets, and are significantly easier to find willing veterinarians for. Ive occasionally seen them offered for sale on exoticanimalsforsale.net in the past, but not for a while. Otters are wild animals. They would come to the nano-reef forums posting spotless 10 gallon tanks loaded with fish including tangs. They can be very destructive when they dont get what they want., Strong odor. In this AnimalWised video, we talk about the lifestyle of these mammals, what types of otter exist and why you should never have them in a. Sea otter: Illegal to own under the Marine Animal Protection Act. I do not even need to mention you all the reasons why. Due to their high fish diet, an otter's excrement is particularly foul. Additionally, otters are considered indicator species, which means that their presence or absence can indicate the health of the surrounding ecosystem. Squirrels as Pets - Is It OK to Have a Pet Squirrel? They require about 2-2, 5 pounds of meat every day. Printed on the money box will be a beautiful otter with your required name. Theyre very intelligent and need so much stimulation , just like an African parrot but maybe 10 times more. EXOTIC ANIMALS ARE NOT PETS. They have an oil, waterproof coat and webbed feet, which makes them good swimmers. Then there are, of course, ferrets. Not only does this depend on the country, the legality of keeping an otter as a pet will also depend on regions and jurisdiction within a given country. In the wild, they mostly eat fish, while sea-dwelling otters use stones to break open mollusks. Zoological parks Some zoos have captive breeding programs for otters and may offer the opportunity to adopt one. It is illegal in all US States to keep this indigenous otter as a pets. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on December 21, 2016: People in Japan are notorious for doing whatever they want and making it work. These big furry dogs were bred to hunt otters, which were considered as pests back in the day. I can only make educated guesses as to where they might be legal due to researching what isn't legal. Being A Pet Is Not Good For an Otter If you love animals, then please do not keep otters as pets! You cannot keep one as a pet in the US. There are only 13 extant species of otter across the world[1]. They are cunning and intelligent and predatory and like to know every nook and cranny of their dwelling place. Vegetables, insects, crayfish, monkey nuts, soft-boiled eggs, etc. In the United States, it is legal to own an otter with a license, although regulations vary from state to state. Many Asian countries have taken measures to protect them through bans and regulation.. Otters are very territorial and live in family groups. Theyll need a dry area as well as a pool. From a legal standpoint, owning an otter can be trickier than a skunk, but it is possible. Additionally, otters can carry diseases that are harmful to humans, which is another reason why they are not suitable as pets. Even if it weren't, keeping wild animals as pets is not a good idea. They also mark their territory by smearing their feces around, which contributes to the odor.. Conservationists may need to keep an otter in captivity for protection, post-rescue or for research purposes. But theyre probably more likely to bite unfamiliar people, like visitors! In most countries, otters are considered wild animals, and it is illegal to buy or sell them. Are Emperor Scorpions Poisonous? They are so delightful, you could see why people might want to have an otter as a pet. Unfortunately, we would not be able to list every country where keeping otter as a pet is legal or illegal. It is important to exercise caution and practice good hygiene when interacting with otters or their environment. Not to mention that an otter in a home life most likely is not going to get the water time he needs. You need another animal carer to assist you if you need to leave. Therefore, purchasing an otter can do more harm than good and is not advised. Nevertheless, otters are personable, entertaining little creatures, as you would expect from their reputation. As a pet, otter ownership can be difficult for a variety of reasons, but owning one is not an easy choice. Are otters friendly with humans? Even ferrets are not necessarily easy pets but the first thing I would recommend as a mustelid for a pet. Since otters are not legal to buy, its difficult to give a price range. Otters are highly social, very active, semi-aquatic, and need a lot of space - so having one single one as a pet would certainly be unethical - even if it were possible. Money Box, Personalised Otter Money Box, Coin Bank, Otter Money Box, Otter Gifts, Piggy Bank, Savings Jar, Otter Presents. Pool should make up about 30% of the enclosure. "Oh honey~~~ you shouldn't have! While it's common to keep dogs and cats as pets, other unique and interesting animals including reptiles, insects, amphibians and terrestrial . They're cute and playful when you see them on nature specials and at zoos, but in reality: They aren't domesticated in the slightest. For example, in Nevada, lions and elephants are actually legal to own, but fennec foxes (which weigh 3 lbs) are not. It is illegal to keep almost all otters as pets in North America, with one exception. This breed was thriving in the 12th Century and was used to hunt otters. 5 Step Pacman Frog Care: Are they good pets? Australia boasts a huge variety of animals. Are otters dangerous? many native mammals have large home-ranges and need to kept in large outdoor enclosures. I thank you for the info! This craze of having exotic pets like fennec and foxes (in Russia its popular ), beautiful exotic reptiles and so much more is so wrong ! It is important to work with trained professionals and follow guidelines for releasing otters back into the wild. Owning native otters is illegal in many countries including the UK, Japan, and the U.S. Aggression when stressed. Who knew? Yeah I know but some people already own them and they couldnt put them in the wild because they wouldnt survive. How much does a pet otter cost? Giant otter: Native to South America, these otters are very large, quite noisy, and actually very social. Yes, otters can be trained using positive reinforcement techniques. Heap, C. J., Wright, L., and Andrews, L. (2008). There are several ways to support otter conservation efforts, including: In conclusion, otters are unique and fascinating animals that are best appreciated from a distance. 7080% of the diet can be meat-based and can consist of day-old chicks, chicken, venison, rabbit, etc. If not..why? That being said there are no breeders , otters are poached from the wild. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Otters are carnivores and primarily eat fish, shellfish, and other aquatic creatures. These have brought significant problems and it is very questionable if exotic animals will fare well in such environments. Otters are very playful and charming and it might seem easy to interact with them or have them as pets. However, this is highly unethical and illegal, so be cautious and thoroughly research the seller and the legality of owning an otter as a pet before making a purchase. 25 million cats and dogs are euthanized in the US each year. She said yes . Otters are smelly, loud and extremely active; they have sharp teeth and jaws strong enough to crack open shellfish. The Answer May Surprise You! Otters are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and their trade is heavily regulated. Even cats and dogs require a team of people to help you. The local authority's regulations will need to be assessed before it could even be considered. How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at PetSmart? As with all wild animals, otters are likely to react to humans in unexpected ways, and they can turn aggressive when they feel threatened. Answer: You purchase otters from a breeder or broker. you, have, a, pet, otter, in, australia, can. It could benefit the scientific community as well since little is known about their behaviors. It is illegal in all US States to keep this indigenous otter as a pets. Additionally, otters can have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. You may be asked to demonstrate this. Answer: I would guess no, but it might depend on the animal and your particular talent in animal training. In the wild they live in families of up to 15, which contrasts with their life in captivity. When I worked for the park service, every year after easter people dump the bunnies,chicks and ducks they got for kids in the park because they grew up and couldn't handle them. Otters have an odor that lingers around them. Otters arent happy to be one or two with a child pool and a bathtub ! 11:06. Are otters legal pets? Feel free to share this guide with anyone who loves otters! In some cases, it may be possible to keep an otter with the proper permits and licenses. 70-80% can be meat-based, and can include chicks, chicken, venison, rabbit, etc. Additionally, swimming with otters can be harmful to the animals, as it can disrupt their natural behaviors and expose them to human diseases. Animals other than those that are usually kept as a companion or domestic animal attract a lot of attention and generate curiosity to know what it is like to have one at home. In some cases, it is possible to obtain a permit to own an otter. Otters need space to roam. When she isn't creating content for blog posts, Hannah enjoys long walks with her Rottweiler cross Senna, reading fantasy novels and breeding aquarium shrimp. If you want to read similar articles to Can You Have an Otter as a Pet?, we recommend you visit our What you need to know category. The cage should have a decent size that allows the animal adequate room to exercise and forge. Poisonous bite symptoms and treatments, 8 AMAZING jumping spiders types you can get as pets, 31 Interesting Axolotl Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. Can you have a pet otter in australia. However, a recent uptick of otter attacks has caused distress to many fish owners across the island. Marvel at the patience that the author must have had. It is illegal to keep this indigenous otter as a pet in the United States, and not advised to take it out of North America. Otters are adorable animals, but keeping them as pets is not a good idea. Unless you do what Joseph Carter does for his mink to keep them busy, I wouldn't recommend them as pets to most people. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on December 16, 2018: Can you have an Asian small clawed otter as a pet in the state of Georgia. Thank you for this VERY enlightening article. There is little similar evidence to suggest otters want to do the same. Also do you own any dogs or cats? - Repeat the above steps to add more items as needed. The answer is no. Keeping an otter as a pet has become fashionable in some countries for some time. This species is not for beginners. And for those shaming her in the comments. Other members of this family include weasels, skunks, and ferrets. Very few are owned by private individuals and habited in domestic environments. This is highly recommended if you want to keep your otters happy and in good mental and physical health. Heres what you need to know to provide adequate nutrition to a captive otter: Otters emit an odor, and smear their spraint (a fancy word for otter dung) at latrine sites, using their hind feet and tails, in order to mark their territory. While they were not the first country to open a pet caf (this was Taiwan's honor), the idea gained significant popularity there. You can give them a complete cat food as the base, but make sure that over half of their diet is meat-based. This is not a pet for beginners, or the faint-hearted! Maybe they are for you, maybe not! Native birds are also federally protected. Other otter species, like the ocean otter and giant otter, can reach lengths of 6 ft (1.8m), as long as a tall human. Pet Collars & Leashes Pet Furniture Pet Clothing & Shoes . Would it require witchcraft for an otter to stay alive like that? Yes, you can own an otter in Massachusetts as long as you have a permit from the state. Complex care requirements: Otters are not domesticated animals and require specialized care. Can Caracal Kitten be good pets? However, there are few countries which appear to favor having otters as pets. I understand how people strongly oppose having otters as pets. Veterinary Secrets 2022 Bestie PawsLower Manhattan, New York, NY 10038, USA, Pet otters: the truth behind the latest wildlife craze. Wildlife rehabilitation centers - These centers take in injured or orphaned wild animals and care for them until they can be released back into the wild. They live in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps in Southern Asia. As the otters like to make a burrow in the land, you will need to have the right sort of soil ans terrain. With a degree in Animal Behaviour and over a decade of practical animal husbandry experience, Hannah's articles cover everything from pet care to wildlife conservation. They also need have enough elements such as trees and branches to scavenge. However, there is also DNA evidence to suggest that cats were susceptible to the process of domestication and may have even domesticated themselves[3]. These animals are also preys in the wild and keeping these animals as pet increase their chances of survival greatly. Are otters good pets? I know a lady who owns an otter , she displays her on insta with her other exotic pets that rescued and even doing so much for her baby she still sees signs of distress! This could devastate our unique environment. They are hard to potty train, and their fast metabolism means they poop a lot, and often. Otters need a tropical climate. So, here are some of the reasons you should not keep an otter as a pet: Above all, otters are wild animals that are happiest in their natural habitats and are not meant to be kept in our homes. Not only do you need the right enclosure and dietary resources to take care of a pet otter, but you need to have access to specialists in your neighborhood. Other zoological animals like meerkats, raccoon dogs, slow lorises, and pangolins can't be owned privately for many reasons, at least in the United States. They prefer flat stones that are as wide as a large orange. Keeping an otter in a home is a surefire way to destroy anything valuable you own. The otter is not a domesticated animal species. However, if youre still keen on the otter, and live in a state where you can legally own one, youre welcome to take the next step. Because theyre so cute, theres been a high demand to own them as pets., Illegal poaching and sales have hurt the global otter population. As a vet you shouldnt explain people what to do if they still wanna keep a wild pet! You may not think it, just to look at them, although even when stock-still they are adorable. Over half of all 13 otter species are endangered or vulnerable and are not legally breed - they have to be capture, usually by killing the mother and confiscating the pups. Not only will we let you know if you can have an otter as a pet, we'll look into the different reasons why this might not be the best idea for both legal and practical reasons. Living with a Pet Otter There are many effects which you should be aware of before getting a pet otter. Tremble with Tarka as the sounds of the otter hounds come down the valley. Alabama law prohibits any wildlife protected by law being held in captivity (as in kept as pets.) An otters diet can vary. Question: Are otters legal pets in California? The only way to know for sure would be to contact your state's Department of Agriculture/Fish and Game, and even they sometimes don't know. Point is people that invest this kind of money on pets love them. There should be hollowed-out logs, aptly placed shrubs and trees, and various cage furniture that will make the space more interesting. If left untrained, they can leave many droppings around the house. Instead, consider visiting them at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary, where you can observe and appreciate these amazing animals in a safe and responsible manner. No, and you don't want one. DeKay's Brown Snake. 9 Affordable Pet Insurance for Low Income Families, Donating to organizations that support otter conservation, research, and habitat protection, Purchasing products made from sustainable materials to reduce habitat destruction, Volunteering at a local wildlife rehabilitation center or conservation organization, Advocating for policies and regulations that protect otters and their habitats.
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